Hey all, new member and a new owner of a '93 Dodge Dakota. SLT with a 318 (doh) V8, 125K miles, and I'm only the second owner. I got really lucky as the previous owner worked for Chrysler and kept the vehicle in impeccable condition, so there is very minimal surface rust and the interior is practically brand new.

I'm planning on changing fluids, spark plugs, filters, and just giving everything a cleanup. Right now, the major problems are that the ABS and Parking Brake light stay on regardless if they are engaged or not, so based on previous threads I'm assuming I have to check the sensors themselves and the fuses. Anything else I might be missing there?

Also, the engine temperature gauge doesn't function (always bottoms out), so I think for that I want to check and make sure the sensor is at least connected/functioning and then possibly check the gauge itself at some point.

Are there any other major things I should put on my list for changing/upgrading? I realize suspension/shocks will probably have to be replaced soon and I believe the exhaust is leaking slightly, so I may replace the whole system there. I realize a lot of these things have already been posted in other threads, I just wanted to make sure I introduced myself and appreciate any and all help y'all provide! I'll have some pics up later after I get through work today.

 

Welcome!!!
I think the engine would be a 5.2 Litre or also called a 318CID..... Generally 351 was a ford motor.
Changing all the fluids, is a good idea.....
Sorry, I cant offer much help with the brake ABS
The coolant sensor, "I think" if its a 1 wire sensor, you can unplug it, turn ignition switch to on and it should peg one direction or the other. Then ground the wire and it should peg the other direction. If it does, its probably the sensor.
You did not say what part of the country you are in.... If its an area where rust is a problem, check the frame well where the leaf springs bolt to the frame and the front where the control arms connect.
Oh, and post up some pictures!! We love truck pictures on this forum!!

 

351?? Dodge never used that size. If it's a stock motor, then quite likely it's a 5.2 liter, or 318 Cubic inch. 93 would make it a magnum engine, so, I do believe you have two temp sensors on that engine. One will be by the heater outlet fitting on the intake manifold. The other is buried down behind the A/C compressor, near the thermostat housing. The one-wire sensor is for the gauge in the dash. Two wire sensor is for the PCM.

 

Y'all are totally right, it's a 318. I'm a lifelong Ford owner and I'm transferring my Ford bias to my new truck...

Appreciate the input on the temp sensor! I'll check those later today and see what's going on with it. Is the sensor going to be an easier replacement than the gauge?

As for location, I'm in Wisconsin, so rust can definitely be a problem and I gave it a pretty thorough look before purchasing. I'll double-check the springs and control arms. Everything seemed to be A-OK and solid, just a lot of surface grime and rust. No holes...but it's also due for a wash.

 

Gauges themselves rarely fail, sensors, on the other hand...... well.... they hang out in a rather hostile environment, and the plastic gets brittle, and disintegrates. Among other things.

I think a 351C swap would be interesting.

 

...or a 361 swap. That puppy would flat SCREAM!

 

Pictures as promised!

 

That is a clean truck!! Look forward to hearing more about it as you work on it....
Any mods planned or are you keeping it stock?

 

Thanks! I want to try to keep it pretty stock, at least for the time being. Besides the immediate things that need fixing, major components on my list to change out are the exhaust system and suspension. I might change out the front bumper, but I kind of like the chrome that we got.